Polygon Xtrada 7 Mountain Bike, $1,200
Twelve hundred dollars rarely buys this much bike. The Polygon Xtrada 7 is an aluminum hardtail that arrives trail-ready—no upgrade list, no asterisks. There’s even a dropper post (a must-have for confident descending), and the tires, brakes, and drivetrain are all up to the task of general-duty mountain biking. Riders with dreams of launching off the biggest drops and jumps around should look elsewhere, but more cross-country oriented riders—those more focused on covering ground rather than levitating above it—will find a lot to like about the Polygon. Even the paint job drew positive comments from our notoriously picky reviewers. It has the looks and performance of a frame that costs twice as much. Buy Now
Leatt Shorts MTB Trail 2.0, $88
The best riding shorts are the ones that you don’t notice when you’re wearing them, and Leatt’s MTB Trail 2.0 shorts fall into that category. They have a lightweight stretch fabric, zippered thigh pockets, laser-cut vent holes, and an adjustable waistband, all designed to keep you cool and comfortable on a ride. They’re refreshingly free of any unnecessary features and reasonably priced.
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Champagne Rides,
Edited by Jenny Wiegand
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Send It, Don't Spend It
Head-to-toe trail gear, ready for anything except buyer’s remorse.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
GRAVEL & ROAD BIKING
COMMUTER BIKING
Tallboy Budget
EVOC Hydro Pro Ultra 1.5 Hydration Vest, $140
EVOC was an early entrant to the vest pack game, and the Hydro Pro Ultra 1.5 is the brand’s newest lightweight option, ideal for shorter rides. The fit makes it stand out: elastic side straps keep it securely in place no matter what contortions its wearer is doing, and with an included 1.5-liter reservoir and two pockets that hold emergency snacks and a multitool, it’s just the right size for workday laps.
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GEAR
Canyon Deflectr Helmet, $160
The Canyon Deflectr holds the top spot on Virginia Tech’s MTB helmet rankings, thanks in part to its Release Layer System (RLS) with panels that break away during a crash, dissipating energy that would otherwise reach the wearer’s head. High tech doesn’t always mean high price, and the Deflectr is less expensive than most of its competition. It’s still not the absolute cheapest option out there, but head safety isn’t a place to skimp.
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TO THE RIDER WHO ACTUALLY PACKED FOR THIS
My checklist: helmet, gloves, vibes. His: everything else.
In most areas of my life, I’m type A to a fault. But when it comes to mountain biking, I pack the bare minimum and I’m out the door in two minutes, maybe less. My tiny hip pack is overstuffed with snacks—I’ve got that handled—but a spare tube or hand pump? I assume they’re still in there, although it’s been a while since I checked. My lack of preparedness has mostly worked out for me, largely because my riding buddy packs enough for both of us.
Whether we’re headed out on a 30-mile International Mountain Bicycling Association epic or our 11-mile after- work loop, he’s schlepping a five-pound pack stuffed with not one but multiple spare tubes, CO2 cartridges, extra chain links, a wind jacket, an emergency space blanket, a first aid kit, enough Buffs to fashion a full-body sling, and about ten other things I’d never think to bring on a ride.
I impatiently watch him pack and repack at the trailhead. Sometimes it takes me almost a mile to shrug off my annoyance. But here’s the thing: more than once, he’s pulled out the first aid kit or emergency blanket to patch up a fellow rider on the trail—and I, who spent all of 90 seconds getting ready for the ride, get to bask in the warm glow of someone else’s forethought. Turns out, riding with the most prepared person on the trail is almost as good as being prepared yourself.
Cannondale CAAD14 3 Road Bike, $2,499
Carbon competitors might win on a spec sheet, but the CAAD14’s standout aluminum frame is what makes it our top value pick in road bikes. This is a stiff race bike with aggressive geometry—but it threads the needle so you don’t always have to ride it like one. It’s compliant enough to tackle a century ride and comes equipped with reliable workhorse components, like a Shimano 105 drivetrain, so you can walk out of the store and start riding hard immediately. What makes it the ultimate long-term buy is the frame’s high ceiling. This is a chassis worth investing in: add deep-section carbon wheels down the road, and they won’t feel out of place. It delivers elite performance that grows with you, all from an approachable starting price.
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Specialized Diverge 4 Sport Alloy Gravel Bike, $2,100
In a sea of gravel bikes that all feel the same, the Diverge 4 stands out. It has 50 millimeters of tire clearance for the roughest terrain, plus Future Shock technology—applied to the handlebar instead of the frame—to keep you comfortable without the hassle that usually comes with suspension on a gravel bike. That combination handles a gravel race or a bikepacking adventure equally well.
In-frame storage, a top-tube mount system, and mounts on the fork legs mean you can carry what you need. And despite how dialed-in it is for rough stuff, swap the tires and you’ve got a capable road bike. If you know you’ll never need that road-bike versatility, the Comp Alloy build (pictured here) keeps the affordability but adds wider gearing for steeper gravel climbs. We like the Sport Alloy for riders just getting into the sport; the Comp Alloy comes with upgrades like a SRAM Apex drivetrain and stiffer, lighter wheels for $2,699.
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Crankbrothers Candy Lace Clip-In Shoes, $170
Crankbrothers is known for its pedals, so it makes sense to see that innovation move up the chain to shoes. The Candy Lace is a two-bolt gravel shoe that stays walkable if you need to put a foot down, with plenty of base protection for scrambling up a rocky trail. Bold colors keep style high, while the lace closure system provides perfect adjustability and keeps weight, price, and complexity down.
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Pearl Izumi Expedition Bib Shorts, $155
Comfort is the one place cyclists are told never to compromise—which is exactly how bib shorts crept past the $300 mark. The Pearl Izumi Expedition makes the case that simplicity, done well, is all you need. The fabric trades high compression for a beautifully soft feel, while the high cut prevents annoying jersey gaps. The chamois is streamlined but dense enough for long, rough rides. Four well-placed pockets—including a cleverly divided right-thigh pocket for separating trash—handle the cargo without adding bulk.
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GRAVEL & ROAD BIKING
All Road, No Ransom
by Jenny Wiegand
by Josh Ross
Bikes and kit that go the distance without holding your wallet hostage.
by Mike Kazimer
by Mike Kazimer
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve rolled out of the woods after a bike ride, slightly delirious, a little (or a lot) dehydrated, and on the hunt for sustenance.
The sight of a gas station on the horizon during a mega-ride is equivalent to a desert traveler spotting a lush oasis—except that instead of palm trees, there are harsh fluorescent lights, and most of the water has all sorts of interesting colors and chemicals added to it.
Nothing staves off a serious bonk like a package of mini-donuts and some blue Gatorade. All the organic, freshest whole foods at the grocery store—or fancy protein bars—can’t compete with that potent combination. When you’re struggling to find the energy to keep on pedaling, sometimes a ridiculous amount of salt and sugar combined with a few minutes of awkward human interaction is just the ticket.
A gas station resupply is best used sparingly—think of it as an emergency pit stop rather than a go-to resource. That mindset will keep those mid- or post-ride visits special (and potential diet-induced medical issues at bay).
THE GAS STATION OASIS
On the sacred art of the mid-ride resupply.
Prestacycle TorqRatchet GO Lite Multitool, $69
Multitools never seem to have the exact mix of things you actually need. The Prestacycle TorqRatchet GO Lite fixes that by offering 12 commonly used hex bits that you can mix and match for whatever makes sense to you and your bike. If you need something else, just swap it for a bit you don’t use. When it comes time to tighten something, you’ll find a beam-style torque wrench built into the system so you don’t accidentally break a delicate carbon part making a mid-ride adjustment.
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Aventon Abound SR eBike, $1,899
The Aventon Abound SR is the kind of e-bike that makes car keys feel optional. It’s a short-tail cargo bike with room for groceries, a kid seat, or oversized panniers, but it still feels nimble in bike lanes and won’t take over your garage. For $1,899, it comes with fenders, lights, turn signals, and a rear rack—details often sold as upgrades elsewhere. The 750-watt rear hub motor delivers enough power to push you through intersections even when loaded down, with up to 60 miles per charge. Built-in GPS tracking, geofencing, and a start-up password add peace of mind. At roughly 80 pounds, it’s not something you’ll casually carry upstairs, but as a car replacement, the Abound SR makes the useful choice feel fun.
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Knog Blinder 700 Front Bike Light, $65
The Knog Blinder 700 does more than make you visible, casting enough light to actually illuminate unlit paths and streets. The 700-lumen road-focused beam provides useful reach, while side illumination helps drivers spot you at intersections. The silicone mount works above or below the bar, and run-time ranges from 2 hours on high steady to 120 hours in eco flash.
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Commuter gear that makes the drive to work feel like a downgrade.
by Josh Patterson
COMMUTER BIKING
The Nine-to-Five Flyer
Magicshine Seemee 300 Smart Taillight, $55
Cars have brake lights so drivers know when the vehicle ahead is slowing, not just where it is on the road. Magicshine’s Seemee 300 brings that same logic to bikes, flaring brighter the instant you decelerate. At 300 lumens, it’s also visible in daylight, when most car-bike collisions happen.
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LITELOK X1 Bike Lock, $260
The LITELOK X1 is not light in the featherweight sense, but that’s missing the point. At 3.7 pounds, it’s portable enough for daily use, especially for commuters locking up an e-bike. Its hardened steel shackle is wrapped in a grinder-resistant composite layer designed to chew through cutting discs before they slice through the lock. No lock is invincible, but the X1 buys time—and time is what makes bike thieves look elsewhere for an easier target.
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Specialized Align II Mips Helmet, $65
The Align II pairs Mips technology with a 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating, credentials that usually come attached to helmets costing three times as much. There’s no aero shaping, and that’s no loss: you get a compact silhouette and big vents to keep you cool, with looks that work equally well on a big gravel day or a road ride with friends.
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Coros Dura Solar GPS Bike Computer, $249
Modern bike computers keep piling on features while getting harder to actually use. The Coros Dura cuts through the clutter: heart rate, distance, and navigation are all here, but the real standout is 120 hours of battery life. On top of that, the solar panel is so efficient it can provide two extra hours of battery time for every hour of riding. Plus, the free Coros ecosystem includes every training metric you could ever need.
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Thule Chasm InLock Bundle, $255
Most rack systems make you build around one bag and live with bungees or straps if your needs change. Thule’s Chasm InLock bundle puts the mounting hardware on the rack itself, so bags click in and out in seconds. The bundle includes two options: a 22-liter courier bag for a laptop, layers, and lunch, and a 25-liter tote for groceries or anything too bulky for a standard pannier. Both feel locked in place with no rattle or sway on rough pavement. And because they double as everyday bags, you can pull one off and walk straight into the office.
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By Josh Patterson
Every cyclist should own one bike they don’t love too much. Not a bad bike, exactly. But one that has already lived a little and has the marks to prove it—a scratch across the top tube, mismatched tires, bar tape with a backstory. This is the bike you can lock outside a coffee shop and relax: no stealing nervous glances at the rack between sips.
A beater lowers the emotional stakes of transportation. It doesn’t ask you to get ready for a ride. You can pedal it in jeans, lean it into a crowded rack, and cut through the alley because you’re five minutes late, not because Strava says the segment is trending. No kit, no route planning, no performance narrative, just transportation.
The trick is knowing where to be cheap and where not to be stupid. The patina of a chipped paint job is character. Bad brakes are a hospital bill. Fenders and a rack make the bike more useful more often, turning damp days and quick trips into reasons to ride, rather than excuses not to. A bell, used politely, is a small civic virtue on your handlebar.
A bike that doesn’t need to be perfect turns errands into adventures and makes a five-mile trip feel easier than finding a parking spot. Save the dream bike for weekend rides. The beater is the workhorse, not the show pony.
It might never get compliments. That’s part of its charm. The best beater bike disappears beneath you, asks little, and makes riding feel less like a lifestyle and more like common sense.
rIDE UGLY
The case for owning a bike you can actually lock up and walk away from.
+ TO THE RIDER WHO FOR THIS
ACTUALLY
PACKED
X
Specialized 2FO Roost Flat Mountain Bike Shoe, $120
The 2FO Roost is one of our favorite affordable flat pedal shoes. Specialized’s SlipNot ST rubber is a genuine rival to Five Ten’s Stealth—and may have an edge in cold weather—with chunkier lugs that inspire confidence on the most technical trails. Excellent grip, solid breathability, roomy toe box, and simple lace-up design make it a solid option for riders of all skill levels. It’s also available in a clipless version.
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+ THE
GAS STATION OASIS
+
RIDE UGLY
X
X
Value gear that never feels like the cheap seats.